A Guide to the United States’ History of Recognition,
Diplomatic, and Consular Relations, by Country, since 1776: El Salvador

Summary

In 1821, El Salvador and the other Central American provinces declared their
independence from Spain. In 1823, the United Provinces of Central America was
formed of the five Central American states under Gen. Manuel Jose
Arce. El Salvador declared itself an independent republic in
1839, although the next several decades were marked by frequent revolutions.
Following a coup in 1931, normal relations between the United States and El
Salvador were interrupted. During the 1980s, the United States supported the
Salvadoran Government against Socialist forces.

Modern Flag of El Salvador

Recognition

U.S. Recognition of Salvadoran Independence, 1824
& 1849.

The United States recognized the independence of the Federation of Central
American States from Spain on August 4, 1824, when President James
Monroe received Mr. Canaz as Envoy
Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary. The Federation consisted of the
States of Honduras, Guatemala,
Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and
Salvador. After the breakup of the Federation
from 1838-1840, the United States recognized Salvador (El Salvador) as a
separate, independent state on May 1, 1849, when E. George
Squier, U.S. Chargé d’affaires to Guatemala, was issued a
full power and letter of credence to negotiate a treaty with Salvador.

Diplomatic Relations

Establishment of Diplomatic Relations, 1863.

Diplomatic relations were established on June 15, 1863, when James R.
Partridge presented his credentials in San Salvador as U.S. Envoy Extraordinary
and Minister Plenipotentiary.

Establishment of the American Legation in San Salvador, 1863.

The American Legation in San Salvador opened on June
15, 1863, under Minister Resident James R.
Partridge.

In September 1896, the Republics of Honduras,
Nicaragua, and Salvador
agreed to form the Greater Republic of Central America to exercise their
external sovereignty. The United States adjusted its diplomatic relations
accordingly by receiving a minister from the organization on December 24,
1896; however, upon doing so, President Grover
Cleveland noted that the responsibilities of the individual
republics toward the United States remained “wholly unaffected.” On November
29, 1898, the union was dissolved and the individual states promptly resumed
the independent conduct of diplomatic relations.

Diplomatic Relations Interrupted, 1931.

Normal relations were interrupted on December 4, 1931, when the United States
did not recognize the new revolutionary Government of El Salvador. Secretary
of State Henry
Stimson based this policy on the guidelines of a 1923 treaty
regarding the non-recognition of governments coming into power through
revolution.

Diplomatic Relations Normalized, 1934.

The United States recognized the Martinez Government of El Salvador via
Telegram from Secretary Cordell Hull on January 26, 1934. Frank P.
Corrigan presented his credentials to the Government of El
Salvador on April 30, 1934.

Elevation of American Legation to Embassy Status, 1943.

Following a joint announcement on March 23, 1943, between the United States
and seven American Republics that included El Salvador, the Legations in the
respective nations and the United States were raised to the status of
Embassy. Walter Thurston was promoted to Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary and presented his credentials to the Government of El
Salvador on April 16, 1943.